§ No one is required to speak up, but there will be opportunities to do so.

o The Secular Coalition for America is the only 501(c)(4) representing secular and nontheistic Americans. We are based in Washington DC to fight religious privileging on a federal level, but the most egregious violations of separation of church and state are occurring on the state level.

o The Secular Coalition for America is forming state chapters across the country. Our chapters will bring together secular Americans in each state to lobby on secular issues.

Overview of the State Chapter Model

A Secular Coalition for America state chapter is unlike any other nontheistic state organization-it brings together interested organization and individuals for the exclusive purpose of lobbying government officials.

Cannot "electioneer" - endorse or speak out against specific candidates

§ As lobbyists we must be the diplomats of the secular movement

Nonpartisan, respectful, diplomatic

We believe secular values are American values

Once your state chapter is organized, the leadership and a representative of the SCA will sign a memo of understanding officially recognizing the Secular Coalition for Massachusetts and giving the group access to our resources (to be discussed in more depth later)

Mission- to increase the visibility of and respect for nontheistic viewpoints in the United States, and to protect and strengthen the secular character of our government as the best guarantee of freedom for all.

Purpose - accomplish its mission through cooperation between local groups and coordinated state lobbying activities.

Our first step in forming these chapters is our monthly conference calls.

Conference Calls

Initial organizing calls

§ Focus on setting up the structure, identifying leadership, discussing how the legislature in Massachusetts operates and the best ways to meet the needs of the Secular Coalition for Massachusetts

o After Official recognition

§ Future monthly calls will become a way to educate and inform: track legislation, coordinate lobbying efforts and coordinate secular organizations.

Resources

CQ Statetrack - State Legislation and Regulation Tracking Software

§ Follows legislation and regulation on secular issues

When introduced or any movement

§ Full bill text and details

What step of the legislative process the bill is at

Votes

Original versions of the bill and amendments

§ Can create customizable reports

§ Committee hearings calendar

§ Automatic web publishing

o Website

§ MA.secular.org

Subdomain of secular.org

Same template

Automatically updates with Massachusetts info, but can be manually updated as well